“We’ve had a couple of good practices and as we get closer to things I think some of our execution, offensively, defensively and special teams are starting to clear up. We have to maximize this next week.”

On if they learned anything from the scrimmage after watching the tape:

“Yeah, certainly we saw some things. It seems like a long time ago and we’ve had some good practices since then. I think it’s the cumulative work that you’re looking at. Really in the scrimmages, you get to tackle and get to see how different guys actually tackle, see how [running] backs finish some things. The value of each practice is probably equally as important.”

On how the quarterbacks have progressed since naming Tom Savage the starter:

“I think both are progressing and working. I’ve been pleased with their whole approach and think that they’re getting better.”

On if they’re close to finding a top 3 in terms of starting linebackers:

“I think we are. We’re working those guys in the right spots and now we just have to see the consistency of their work. That picture is starting to clear up a little bit.”

On running back Isaac Bennett’s progress on his knee injury:

“He started to do some movement stuff so he’s got to keep going. He’s done some things and each day, depending on how it responds, he can add a little bit more to it.”

“The other day he dinged his shoulder a little bit. Today we tried to take a little bit off of him and certainly it gives the younger guys a chance to, I don’t want to say play catch up, but Malcolm had a lot of reps in the spring.”

On the freshmen running backs [James Conner and Rachid Ibrahim] progressing through camp:

“They’ve absolutely grown and progressed. Every rep they get, even if something comes out different, it’s good for them to see. We just have to keep grinding with them.”

On if he can tell whether the offense or defense is ahead of the other at this point:

“It’s play by play. It’s not that I’m discouraged with either one, they’ve both done some good things, but I’m not trying to figure that one out right now.”

On if Ejuan Price is more effective of a pass rusher with his hand on the ground:

“I think he’s getting comfortable with it all. Honestly I don’t know if his hand on the ground or up makes a difference, I kind of see the same thing.”

“There are still some adjustments I have to make. Today wasn’t one of my best days for whatever reason, but it’s getting late in camp. There’s only two weeks until we kick off against Florida State and I just have to keep correcting stuff and getting better no matter what’s going on.”

On if the adjustment to linebacker from safety was tough:

“It was harder than I thought it was going to be and I’m still adjusting to it right now, so yeah I think so. I’m used to having everything in front of me playing safety but now I have to turn around and look behind me so it’s a bit of a change up.”

On if there are any similarities between the two positions:

“When I played some strong safety, you would come down in the box and play some flat coverages, so that kind of translated over and made it easier. On some plays as a linebacker you get to run an alley like a safety does so that has kind of translated over.”

On his mindset since he started running with the first team defense:

“Even though I’m out there, I feel like my spot isn’t solidified, so I’m just trying to get better every day and improve every day. I don’t want to get caught up in being with the first team because those older guys, they’re seasoned veterans and even their spots aren’t locked up. I feel like my spot is one of those spots that is not signed, sealed and delivered, so I just try to get better every time I’m out there.”

“The coaches have different roles for me. They have a package where they have me stand up and rush, but at the end of the day, pressure is pressure, whether you put your hand on the ground or you are standing up. It is basically the same technique.”

On what he likes playing better, outside linebacker or defensive end:

“I like playing defensive end better. There is less coverage, so I can just go after the quarterback.”

On his role as a pass rush specialist:

“That’s what it is looking like right now. That’s what they are calling me, so hopefully I can live up to the expectations my coaches and teammates have for me.”

On the expectations of the defense as a whole:

“This defense has the ability to be really good. If we come together like I know we can, we are going to be a hard team to beat.”